Failing Forward

Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold, “HERE I AM” entrance. Instead, confidence usually builds quietly, step by step, as we show up day after day, try after try. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome or feel unstable on our feet. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you are actually capable.

Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way.

It’s all about starting with what you have, starting with where you are. Progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real, actual tangible progress. The lessons happen when you aren’t afraid to fail. To be completely honest, my best lessons have been when I’ve made my biggest mistakes.

You don’t need to be fearless to use or make herbal remedies, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that, even if you do mess up, you really will be okay and you really will learn through the process.

It’s humbling, isn’t it? We remember that, even when we feel like we know what we’re doing, sometimes we mess up. In the process of failing, it’s important for us to root in and remember that our greatest lessons can happen in the failures.

You will never forget what Yarrow looks like when you’ve messed it up and harvested Tansy thinking it was Yarrow. And on that note, you may actually learn more about the two plants; you will always remember the smell of the two and how to differentiate between them.

You will never forget each important step that you need to take when making a lotion if you mess up a batch of it. Yes, it’s always sad to mess up a batch (you’re allowed to cry about that while you’re sadly learning the lesson). No one likes to waste their money or resources on a burnt batch or a batch that spoils. But if you’re willing to learn the lesson, as my business mentor likes to say, “That is called failing forward.”.